Page 36 of Cash

“Jesus Christ, Cash. That’s Axel kind of stupid,” Pooh tosses out.

“I’m standing right here!” Axel shouts in an offended tone.

“I’ll take care of it, Cash. I’ll track her down, get her number and you can call and apologize,” Chubs volunteers as he stands to leave.

“She or her partner might shoot you on sight, Chubs,” Pooh warns.

“No worries. Who can resist my charming self?” Chubs says on his way out the door.

“If they hurt him, Ava’s going to disassemble you piece by piece,” Axel says in the most serious tone he has.

Ain’t that the fucking truth.

Chapter 9

Livi

“Go potty. Go potty, Snots,” I order.

“Dog’s not normal, Liv,” James says for the millionth time.

“He’s normal. He’s a bulldog, and they do things their own way. They have their own style.”

Snots finally lifts his leg and does his business. After completing the task, his chubby little body takes off like a streak of lightning. Jowls bouncing with each bound, he’s comical to watch. After two laps around my backyard, Snots comes to a quick stop and instantly tips over. Stretching out, he sighs and his eyes close. He’s obviously done exercising for the day.

“Not sure I’d call that style, but it’s definitely his way,” James mutters. “You carrying him inside or am I?”

“It’s my turn.”

With Snots settled back in his bed, we get back out on patrol. Working the day shift has its advantages. We have less drunk and disorderly people to contend with, and it’s nice to be off work before dark. This shift is more single-life-friendly too, and it’s great to feel like a normally employed person for a while.

“How did you get to the steakhouse so quick the other night?” I ask out of the blue.

“What do you mean?”

“You showed up dressed in a suit, and it was only a few minutes after we spoke,” I remind him.

“I wasn’t far away. Hey, where do you want to eat lunch today?” James asks.

“You’re trying to distract me with food. Not going to work this time. What do you mean, you weren’t far away?”

“Unimportant. Lunch?” James tries again.

“James?”

“God, you’re a pain in my ass. I was only a few blocks away, Livi,” James mumbles.

“In a suit? Oh shit, James! Were you on a date too?” I screech.

“Yeah. It’s not a big deal though.”

“Uh, yeah it is! You left a date to bail me out? You didn’t have to do that, James,” I insist.

“He wasn’t a keeper, Livi. It was never going to go anywhere.”

“I’m selfish as hell. I didn’t even know you had a date that night. I was so excited about mine, I never even asked you what your plans were. I’m so sorry, James.”

“No, you’re not, and don’t be. You’ve bailed me out before too. It’s who we are to each other. We’re each other’s person. It’s us against the world. Nobody comes between us, remember?”

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